Poinsetta plant named `Marble Sails`

ABSTRACT

A poinsettia plant named &#34;Marble Sails&#34; particularly characterized by its marbled carmine/cream bracts against a background of dark green foliage, its strong, fixed stems, its long lasting keeping qualities in the home, its excellent resistance to fade, vigorous growth habits and its branch and bract production.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Euphorbiapulcherrima known by the varietal name "Marble Sails".

The new cultivar was discovered among a large population of the cultivarRed Sails (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,980) in 1987 at Delhi, Ontario. The newcultivar is believed to be a sport of the cultivar Red Sails. The newcultivar was first asexually reproduced by cuttings by Fernlea Flowers,Ltd. of Delhi, Ontario in early 1988 and has been field tested andrepeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings by Fernlea Flowers, Ltd. ofDelhi, Ontario. Continued observations from the vegetative cuttings haveconfirmed that the distinguishing features of this new cultivar cometrue, remain stable and are retained through successive propagations.

The following traits are determined to be basic characteristics of thisnew cultivar which in combination distinguish this poinsettia as new anddistinct:

1. Eight week response time.

2. Dark green foliage.

3. Thick strong stems.

4. Large bracts.

5. Bracts have a marbled appearance with large areas of Carmine downprimary vein against a cream background.

6. Same dark green foliage and flowering response as Red Sails.

7. Cyathia is larger than Red Sails.

8. Stems are thicker than Red Sails.

9. Bracts up to 4.5 inches wide and 8 inches long.

10. Outstanding disease resistance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new cultivar, thecolor being as nearly true as possible with color illustrations of thistype.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected from asexual reproductions carried out in Delhi, Ontario. Theplant history was taken on eight week plants. The test plants were grownunder normal greenhouse conditions and color readings were taken undernatural greenhouse light. Color references are from the ExoticaInternational Pictorial Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants Series No. 4.

The plant:

Form.--Compact, free branching when pinched.

Growth habit.--Thick strong stems; compact with very little growthregulation.

Rooting habit.--Fast, vigorous root system.

Blooming habit.--Same as Red Sails.

Blooming season.--Same as Red Sails; best grown at 64° to 68° F.

Foliage:

Size.--Width: 3 to 4 inches. Length: 5 to 7 inches.

Color.--New foliage -- Upper side, 83 Fern Green. Under side, 76 MeadowGreen. Mature foliage -- Upper side, shade darker than 70 Ivy Green.Under side, 77 Forest Green. Leaf petiole -- 72 Spring Green.

Shape.--Pointed lobes, broad.

Texture.--Fleshy. Upper side, smooth velvety. Under side, smooth evenlyveined.

Edge of margin.--Slightly serrated.

Ribs and veins.--Color, 72 Spring Green.

Disease resistance.--Outstanding.

Flower:

Quantity.--15 to 18 cyathia per stem.

Color.--Canary.

Size.--Above average compared to Red Sails.

Shape.--Peduncle is elongated therefore cyathia are more upright andvisible.

Bracts:

Size.--Large. Width (in bloom): 4.5 inches. Length (in bloom): 8 inches.

Shape.--Pointed lobes, broad.

Texture.--Upper side, velvety. Under side, smooth.

Color.--Upper side, 1 Cream; area around primary vein is 31 Carmine.Under side, 1 Cream; area around primary vein is 31 Carmine.

Resistance to fade.--Good.

Quantity.--12 to 15.

Veins.--Small, hardly noticeable on upper side.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Quantity -- Numerous. Color -- 1 Light Cream. Size -- Small.

Pollen cups color.--2 Mimosa.

Style color.--1 Light Cream.

Ovary color.--73 Grass Green.

Nectar cups color.--2 Mimosa.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of poinsettia plant as hereinshown and described, particularly characterized by its marbledcarmine/cream bracts against a background of dark green foliage, itsstrong, fixed stems, its long lasting keeping qualities in the home, itsexcellent resistance to fade, vigorous growth habits and its branch andbract production.